John Edwards Picks up Two Union Endorsements: Steelworkers, Carpenters

John Edwards has picked up two major union endorsements. The United Steelworkers, the largest union yet to endorse anyone with 1.2 million members, and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, with over 500,000 members both endorsed John Edwards for President today.

Here’s some of the great news from the UBCJA:

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards on Thursday welcomed his first national endorsement from a labor group, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.

“I think it’s very encouraging. The carpenters are one of the biggest and most active unions in America, and they’re active in a lot of the early states,” Edwards told The Associated Press during a stop in this early voting state. “They’re a union that I have a lot of respect for, and I’m proud to have their support.”

The union has more than 500,000 members and was friendly with President Bush but stayed out of the 2004 race.

This particular endorsement indicates Edward’s broad support across the nation. He is the only candidate who is performing well among moderates and he consistently wins by the largest margins against the Republican candidates in general election matchups.

Edwards has proposed the most progressive agenda for American workers and that is why he is picking broad support among workers all across America. Workers want a comprehensive health care plan that will provide coverage to every American, not just those who can afford it. Edwards provides that. They want an education agenda that will focus on the middle class, getting more students in college, and making all schools better so students can achieve more. Edwards has already done it with his College For Everyone program, providing the opportunity for students to go to college, cost-free, as long as they volunteer in their communities 10 hours a week. Workers want better and fairer trade deals, with environmental protections that don’t put American jobs at risk because of corporate greed. Most of all, workers just want an end to way things are being done right now. They want an end to our country giving out to corporations on every single issue and they just want everyone to have a chance again, the America that used to stand as a beacon on top of the hill. Edwards has fought corporations his entire life and he will do that in the White House.